Wet Tropics World Heritage Area Magazine 2009-2010 Tropical fever: volunteers

Even to the trained eye, catching a glimpse of the elusive Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo can be difficult but it’s a rewarding experience. If you A rare sight want to increase your chances, visit Tutamonlin (Malanda Falls) where tree-kangaroos are regularly spotted in the rainforest trees. You can even by Lana Lopatich have a cup of coffee while you relax. Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos live in upland rainforests in the Wet Tropics. Known locally as ‘tree climbers’, their creamy to rusty brown coat provides an effective camouflage. Even if you don’t see a tree-kangaroo in the wild, there is a wonderful interpretive display in the Malanda Falls Visitor Centre all about tree- kangaroos. It highlights this unique creature’s importance to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. In the surrounding Malanda Falls Conservation Park, you can learn about the Ngadjon-Jii culture and lifestyle from a series of interpretive signs along the Birrar (Red tulip oak) walking track. The Ngadjon-Jii are the Traditional Owners of Tutamonlin (Malanda Falls). Guided walks are available with local Ngadjon elder, Ernie Raymont, or his nephew, Drew Morta. They can teach you about their sacred country and are great at finding local wildlife. You may even see one of these secretive tree climbing creatures. To volunteer or book guided tours, contact the Malanda Falls Visitor Centre: 07 4096 6957 www.malandafalls.com. The Tree Kangaroo and Mammal Group, run by volunteers, has produced an interpretive display at Malanda Falls Visitor Centre (contact: www.tree-kangaroo.net)

On the beach by Lana Lopatich Along the coastal dunes between and Port weed invasion, camp clearings and vehicle traffic. The Douglas lies the stunning Wangetti Beach, part of beach was being loved to death. traditional country. Just 45 minutes north Seeing the need to protect this significant part of of Cairns, this narrow strip of coastline is home to the World Heritage Area (their extended backyard), rare vine forest growing on sand dunes – the only Wangetti locals took up the challenge and have protected habitat of this type in the Wet Tropics. banded together to form the Wangetti Recovery These forests contain plant species related to those Group. They developed the Wangetti Beach Recovery found in monsoonal rainforests in Cape York, Arnhem Plan to help protect this rare habitat. The goal of the Clarke Campbell Photo: Land and the Kimberley. From the foreshore to the Recovery Plan is to reduce impacts and threats. George Skeene at Wangetti Beach mountain peaks to the west, there are at least seven different forest types – significant for such a small Today the group continues to revegetate the coastal area. Drop in and take a look. foreshore. Each year the group runs the ‘Clean-up Things to remember when Australia Day’ campaign and collects discarded The area used to be a camping hotspot - a place visiting Wangetti Beach: rubbish. to roll out the swag, sit under the stars and explore • Take out whatever you bring in. the coastal dune systems in a 4WD. Being close to Wangetti Recovery Group: Cairns, the constant attention took its toll. The once www.wangettirecovery.org • Keep on designated paths to the beach and vegetated dune system had started to become To be involved with tree planting activities contact please do not walk on any tree plantings. eroded from constant bush-bashing. This endangered Conservation Volunteers Australia: 4032 0844 • Leave your dog at home. rainforest is very susceptible to degradation from fire, www.conservationvolunteers.com.au • Don’t be tempted to feed wildlife.

George Skeene, Yirrganydji elder, Wangetti Recovery Group member. As one of the Traditional Owners for the area, George was in Cairns City. The book talks about his life, straddling two asked to write the pre-European history of the Wangetti cultures: the Aboriginal Reserves and Camps and the region. The story is now displayed on a sign in the day use wider community. George remarked that “many area and outlines the importance of Wangetti to Yirrganydji people have written about it from the outside people and the other residents of Wangetti. looking in but this is written from the inside In September 2008 George published his autobiography, Two looking out.” His story is one of survival and Cultures – Children from the Aboriginal Camps and Reserves adversity – and Wangetti Beach. Photo: Campbell Clarke Campbell Photo:

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MWet T Tropics O D N Port S Douglas T W C R I I F Y Activity 1. World I N Heritage R N S E R E C S C L I N Make a picture of the largest Area Cairns animal and the smallest animal G A E A G L E L A H D L R A you have seen in the rainforest. H N C R W L E K S I I S E G Innisfail T E O O X O F G N I Y L F O Y E N T K U R G R I E E L H R R I O T Q O G E C K O Y A A G H N O E G I P O S S U M T U R T L E B S Y M O L E M Ingham Activity 2. Why do you like the rainforest? Bat Green ant Quoll Write down 3 reasons. Bettong Ibis Rat Townsville Cassowary Kite Rhinoceros Chowchilla Koel beetle Crow Leech Scat Dingo Mahogany glider Skink Drongo Melomys Snail Activity 3. Draw a picture Eagle Mouth almighty Spoonbill of a spectacled flying fox. Echidna Owl Sunbird Eel Parrot Taipan Egret Pigeon Tree frog Quick Quiz. Emerald dove Possum Tree kangaroo Firefly Python Turtle What does a lemuroid ringtail Flying fox possum eat? Gecko Goby What colour fur do they have? Where do they live? Activity 5. How many Activity 4. rainforest creatures can you What would be in a find on this page? List them. When cassowary dropping? you next visit the rainforest see if Look for one next time you can spot them. you’re walking through the rainforest

Design & illustration: © Pembroke Graphics Learn more about the Wet Tropics

Wet Tropics vegetation posters out now

Learn about different habitats in the Wet Tropics from rainforest to mangroves. If you or your school would like a set of 10 A2 posters to display, contact WTMA.

Cassowary DVD

Released by Girringun Aboriginal Corporation and the Wet Tropics Management Authority, this DVD shows the cultural significance of the cassowary to Rainforest Aboriginal people and the need to conserve cassowary habitat. The documentary ‘No Wabu, No Wuju, No Gunduy (No Rainforest, No Food, No Cassowary)’ was produced entirely by Girringun staff and Traditional Owners on their country as part of a training program. Available from WTMA.

Local wildlife books Creatures of the Rainforest Frogs of the Rainforest Wet Tropics

This creative children’s book explores A complete guide to all 33 species of frogs country and contains amazing illustrations. found in rainforests of the Wet Tropics World Each is drawn twice, from an Anglo European Heritage Area. It includes an easy-to-use key for perspective and an Australian Aboriginal identification and detailed information about perspective. The book is also written in the each type of frog. All species are illustrated with traditional Djabugay language and English side photos. By Dr Conrad Hoskin and Dr Jean-Marc by side. By Warren Brim and Anna Eglitis. Hero. www.publish.csiro.au www.magabala.com

101 Animals of the Glissandra the Glider Wet Tropics A beautifully illustrated children’s book A field guide perfect to slip into a pocket on featuring the adventures of Glissandra, walks, it features information and photos the young mahogany glider, as she learns of the mammals, birds, frogs, reptiles, and to fend for herself in the woodlands. This invertebrates. This guide identifies the book brings alive the magic of north wildlife that you are most likely to observe forests. It also teaches about and includes iconic species of the Wet this amazing endangered species. By Pam Tropics. By Dr Martin Cohen and Julia Galeano and Daryl Dickson Cooper. www.wildtropics.com.au www.wildcardart.com.au